The Cavaliers' defense has been like a sieve in their first eight games this season.

It's one of the main reasons they are 2-6 and compiled a pathetic 1-5 mark on the recently completed road trip.

The Cavs are allowing opposing teams to shoot 51.2 percent from the field -- by far the worst in the league. The next-worst defensive team is the Portland Trail Blazers at 49.2 percent.

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They are also allowing a league-worse 104.8 points per game. The next-worst team is Phoenix at 103 per game.

Defense needs to be a point of emphasis in practice and in games. They are not talented enough to outscore teams on a regular basis.

Five of the six teams on the road trip shot 50 percent or better against the Cavs. New Jersey shot 55 percent on Tuesday in their 114-101 victory.

"I don't want to talk about the defense," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "There was nothing there defensively. We've got to get more guys who are going to be competitive. Right now we've really got three -- 'Boobie' Gibson, Alonzo Gee and Anderson Varejao.

"We've got to get the other guys to join into the party, simple as that."

Conspicuous by his absence was Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, who admitted after the Brooklyn game maybe he needs to "climb on board" the defensive effort.

Gee has been the Cavs' best and most willing defender. It's been his job to guard the opposing team's top offensive threat. On the road trip, he locked onto 6-foot Chris Paul of the Clippers, 6-9 Kevin Durant of the Thunder and 6-7 Joe Johnson of the Nets, among others.

Where would the Cavs' defense be without Gee? In a world of hurt.

Gibson is a good perimeter defender and the Cavs' most consistent player off the bench. But even he showed he was vulnerable in the Nets game, when he was held scoreless.

Varejao has been the Cavs' best post defender. He proves his worth on the boards, where he is second in the league with 14.3 rebounds per game. Only Memphis' Zach Randolph was better at 14.5.

The Cavs' defense and bench will get a boost with the expected return of 7-footer Tyler Zeller on Saturday against Dallas. He's been fitted with a mask, but has yet to practice with the team since he broke his cheek bone and suffered a concussion on Nov. 5. He could return to practice either Thursday or Friday if he clears the NBA's concussion protocol.

But even with him in the lineup, the Cavs don't have anyone opposing team's fear in the paint. They don't have any real shot blockers. Despite what we keep hearing about 6-9 power forward Tristan Thompson, through eight games he averages as many blocks as Irving (0.25).

Scott has harped about the Cavs' lack of defensive rebounds. Just like they showed in the preseason, the numbers aren't much better in the regular season. They are next-to-last in the NBA in defensive rebounds with 27.4 per game. Only the winless Pistons are worse at 26.3.

"We should be better (rebounding)," Scott said recently. "With the guys we have out there, obviously Andy does a pretty good job. Tristan's athleticism sometimes gets him in trouble because he thinks he's just going to outjump everybody. That doesn't happen in this league. He has to do fundamentals of boxing out. You still have to hit someone and go get it."

Scott talks a lot about the importance of defense, but for whatever reason, the results have not been there. The season has enough pitfalls as it is. Not being able to stop teams is the quickest way to be back in the draft lottery next June.